Auto Tips: Common causes of concerning clunks

Ignoring 'clunks' could lead to a problem like this down the road. (123RF)

Your vehicle, whether fairly new or very well used, has a way of communicating with you when it needs some attention.

A light screech from the brakes, for instance, means your ride would appreciate a brake job.

A loud squeal from under the hood typically means an accessory belt is in need of replacement.

A drawn-out, struggling sound when starting the engine usually means the charging system should be looked at.

And then, there are clunks.

These typically come from beneath the vehicle and can be experienced as ‘bangs,’ ‘pops’ or even ‘clangs,’ depending on their cause.

If your ride exhibits any such sounds, possibly accompanied by a ‘banging’ sensation felt through the floor, your ride needs to visit a mechanic, pronto.

Ignoring clunks can diminish ride comfort, affect steering and handling or even cause an accident.

Here’s a look at some common causes of concerning clunks and what could happen if you ignore them.

Not all possibilities are covered here, and sometimes, worn-out suspension parts make no noise at all.

If you’ve got any worries, or if your ride is making any questionable sounds, it need a trip to your mechanic, pronto.

Sound: A light to moderate ‘clunk’ or pop’

When: Over most or all bumps, especially sharp ones

Possible cause: Your shock absorbers could be wearing or worn. These components separate your vehicle’s body from its wheels and have a major affect on ride quality, comfort, steering and handling.

If ignored: Blown shock absorbers will tend to make a vehicle ride like a lumber-wagon and diminish handling by bounding and bouncing excessively over bumps. Wheel contact with the road’s surface is reduced, diminishing steering and brake-system effectiveness and increasing the likelihood of being in a collision.

Sound: A ‘grinding’ noise, or ‘popping’ noise, possibly in succession

When: While steering, almost always, and most notably when parked

Possible cause: Strut Mounts. This component lets the front struts ‘rotate’ in relation to the body of the car, allowing the wheels to steer. When strut mounts wear out, the bearings inside of them typically fail, making it harder to steer the vehicle and putting additional strain on the steering system.

If ignored: Steering effort will increase, meaning the driver needs to work harder to direct their car. Extra strain on the power steering system will cause excessive wear of its components, too.

Sound: A sharp ‘popping’, ‘banging’ or ‘clanging’ sound, sometimes accompanied by a banging sensation felt through the floor

When: Over all or most sharp bumps, or even while cruising over uneven road surfaces

Possible cause: Ball joints. These important suspension parts are no bigger than your fist, but when they wear out, they make for a serious safety issue. Ball joints are comprised of two parts that are ‘pressed’ together, and serve a role in holding suspension and steering system components together. This is one suspension system component not to neglect.

If ignored: In some cases, ball joint failure can result in a wheel becoming severed from your vehicle’s suspension, which will result in a total loss of control. Ever see a car on the side of the road with its nose on the ground and its front wheels pointing away from each other? That’s ball joint failure and it’s no fun.

Sound: A rhythmic ‘click’ or ‘popping’ noise, possibly accompanied by a scrubbing or binding sensation at the rear of your rear or four-wheel drive vehicle.

When: Typically at lower speeds, while making sharper turns, like in a parking lot.

Possible cause: The rear differential. Chattering, popping, clicking or scrubbing sensations usually indicate a problem, which could range from dirty old differential fluid, water contamination of that fluid, worn-out internal parts or the need for a new differential.

If ignored: Ignoring a rear differential noise can result in accelerated wear, reduced fuel mileage, reduced traction or even full differential failure in extreme cases. The latter will likely cause rear-wheel lock-up (causing a loss of control and accident), or failure to drive the rear wheels (resulting in you going nowhere fast).